# Milani

> CubeSat flown on ESA's Hera mission to the binary asteroid Didymos

**Wikidata**: [Q130473773](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130473773)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/milani-q130473773

## Summary
Milani is a shoebox-sized CubeSat space probe developed to accompany the European Space Agency's Hera mission to the binary asteroid system Didymos. Launched on October 7, 2024, the satellite was manufactured by Tyvak International and named after the Italian mathematician Andrea Milani. It serves as a supporting asset in the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment program to study asteroid deflection techniques.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Milani is a miniaturized satellite (CubeSat) and an unmanned robotic space probe.
*   **Launch Date:** October 7, 2024, at 14:52.
*   **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1061.23).
*   **Mission Destination:** The binary asteroid Didymos.
*   **Manufacturer:** Tyvak International.
*   **Operator:** European Space Agency (ESA).
*   **Mass:** 12 kilograms (launch weight).
*   **Dimensions:** 13 cm (width) x 36.6 cm (height) x 24.6 cm (length).
*   **Namesake:** Named after Andrea Milani, an Italian asteroid scientist.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Milani CubeSat?
A: Milani is part of the Hera mission designed to support the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment. It travels to the Didymos binary asteroid system to gather data relevant to planetary defense.

### Q: When and how did Milani launch?
A: Milani launched on October 7, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. It shared the ride with the Hera spacecraft and another CubeSat named Juventas.

### Q: Who built and manages Milani?
A: The satellite was developed and manufactured by Tyvak International. It is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) with a website hosted by the Côte d'Azur Observatory.

## Why It Matters
Milani represents a critical advancement in the use of miniaturized spacecraft for deep-space exploration. As a "shoebox-sized" CubeSat accompanying the larger Hera probe, it demonstrates the viability of using small, cost-effective satellites for complex interplanetary missions rather than relying solely on large, monolithic spacecraft. This mission contributes directly to the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), a collaborative effort to study how kinetic impacts can alter an asteroid's orbit.

By exploring the Didymos binary system, Milani helps scientists better understand the physical properties of asteroids, which is essential for developing effective planetary defense strategies against potential Near-Earth Object threats. Furthermore, the mission honors the legacy of Andrea Milani, a pioneer in identifying asteroid impact risks, cementing the satellite's role in the ongoing effort to protect Earth.

## Notable For
*   **Deep-Space CubeSat:** Being one of the few CubeSats designed for deep-space exploration rather than Earth orbit.
*   **Binary Asteroid Study:** Specifically targeting the Didymos system for detailed physical characterization.
*   **Planetary Defense:** Playing a role in the first full-scale test of asteroid deflection technology (AIDA).
*   **Rideshare Integration:** Launching alongside the Hera mothership and the Juventas CubeSat.

## Body

### Mission Context and Development
Milani is a 12-kilogram space probe classified as a CubeSat, a type of miniaturized satellite composed of standardized 10cm cubic modules. It was developed by Tyvak International and operates under the sponsorship of the European Space Agency (ESA). The satellite acts as a secondary payload to the main Hera spacecraft.

The probe is a key component of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA). This international collaboration aims to provide data on the kinetic impact technique for deflecting asteroids. The mission targets the binary asteroid system Didymos, which consists of a primary body and a secondary moonlet.

### Launch and Deployment
Milani successfully launched on October 7, 2024, at 14:52. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. The vehicle used was a Falcon 9 Block 5, specifically utilizing booster B1061 for its 23rd flight (B1061.23). SpaceX served as the launch contractor. The deployment was a significant event involving the simultaneous launch of the Hera spacecraft and another CubeSat, Juventas.

### Physical Specifications
The satellite features distinct dimensions optimized for its mission profile:
*   **Width:** 13 centimetres
*   **Height:** 36.6 centimetres
*   **Length:** 24.6 centimetres
*   **Mass:** 12 kilograms (at launch)

### Naming and Legacy
The satellite is named in honor of Andrea Milani, a distinguished mathematician and scientist known for his work in asteroid orbit determination and impact risk assessment. The official website for the mission is maintained in English by the Côte d'Azur Observatory. Milani is strictly an unmanned robotic spacecraft designed to explore outer space without orbiting Earth.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Hera/Shoebox-sized_Milani_CubeSat_joining_Hera_asteroid_mission)
2. [Source](https://www.heramission.space/hera-mission-milani-cubesat)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/10/hera-launch/)
5. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Planetary_defence_mission_Hera_heading_for_deflected_asteroid)